Podcast · Society & Culture

Open Book with Jenna

by TODAY, Jenna Bush Hager · English · Society & Culture

On Open Book with Jenna, TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager brings her signature openness to spirited conversations with celebrities, friends, authors and fellow book lovers. Each episode, her guests share candid stories about their lives and their sources of inspiration, while weighing in on the topics their

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New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 54 minNew

Barbara Kingsolver on Her Writing Process, Life Lessons and Partita

On this episode of Open Book with Jenna, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Kingsolver joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her latest novel, Partita, and the questions that inspire her writing. Barbara opens up about following the success of Demon Copperhead, why the world always needs a love story, and how books can help us feel less alone. Plus, she shares her unconventional childhood, her journey to becoming a novelist, and why taking risks and embracing imperfection are essential to living a meaningful life.

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S4 · 8 Oct 2026 · 47 min
Min Jin Lee on Why She Left Law to Become a Writer: ‘I Just Kept Going’
Min Jin Lee sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her journey from lawyer to bestselling author, the rejection and self-doubt she faced along the way, and what kept her writing. Lee also shares how books became a refuge after immigrating to New York and the research behind her new novel, American Hagwon
S4 · 1 Oct 2026 · 54 min
Leigh Bardugo on Creativity, Social Media and Why She Wants to “Feel Something”| Open Book with Jenna
Leigh Bardugo sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about creativity, success and the challenges of protecting your voice in the age of social media. The author of “Shadow and Bone” and “Ninth House” reflects on finding her purpose, saying goodbye to characters she loves, the reality of adapting her books for Netflix and why artists need to step outside the algorithm to create something that truly surprises them.
S4 · 24 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Alice Hoffman on Writing ‘Practical Magic,’ Sisterhood and the Magic of Storytelling
Alice Hoffman joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about the stories, women and books that have shaped her extraordinary writing career. The bestselling author opens up about the inspiration behind her new novel, The Witches of Cambridge, her lifelong fascination with magic, and why sisterhood has remained such a powerful theme throughout her work. Hoffman also reflects on the enduring legacy of Practical Magic, the 28-year journey to its sequel, and the readers who helped bring the story back to life.
S4 · 17 Sep 2026 · 38 min
Benny Blanco Talks Selena Gomez Romance, Why Failure Is Key and Finding His Purpose
Benny Blanco joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his new book and why embracing failure can help you become braver, more confident and successful. Benny opens up about chasing his dreams from a young age, learning from rejection, putting yourself out there and why the moment you quit is the moment you guarantee you won’t succeed. He also shares the story of how he knew Selena Gomez was the one, the lessons he’s learned about love and partnership, and why being yourself is always worth the risk.
S4 · 10 Sep 2026 · 36 min
Keke Palmer On Her Journey From Child Star To Award Winning Actress (August 2025)
Keke Palmer is an Emmy Award Winning actress, singer, podcast host, and mother. She rose to prominence at the age of twelve through her breakout role in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and has gone on to star in more than twenty-five films. In her latest memoir ‘Master of Me’ Keke tells her own raw and intimate story. Keke sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss how she navigated fame at a young age, how becoming a mother gave her clarity about her priorities in life, and how she’s embraced who she truly is rather than conforming to others expectations. She shares the powerful lessons she’s learned…
S4 · 3 Sep 2026 · 37 min
Bunnie XO Opens Up About Jelly Roll Divorce, Finding Herself and Starting Over | Open Book with Jenna
Bunnie XO joins Jenna Bush Hager for an honest conversation about starting over and stepping into a new chapter of her life. Bunnie opens up about her divorce, healing from heartbreak, finding herself outside of a relationship and why she’s determined to live life on her own terms. She also shares how her difficult childhood shaped her resilience, her journey with therapy and faith, returning to school and what’s next for her memoir, Stripped Down, including its upcoming film adaptation.
S4 · 27 Aug 2026 · 44 min
Kathryn Stockett Talks ‘The Calamity Club’ & Finding Her Way Back to Mississippi
Jenna Bush Hager welcomes Kathryn Stockett to talk about The Calamity Club, her first novel since The Help. Kathryn reveals how the story came together, the historical discovery that changed everything, and why writing honestly meant letting go of what readers and critics might think.
S4 · 20 Aug 2026 · 48 min
Tia Williams and Isaac Fitzgerald Reveal Their Favorite Summer Reads | Open Book with Jenna
Jenna Bush Hager sits down with Tia Williams and Isaac Fitzgerald for a fun-filled conversation about books, reading and the magic of a great summer read. They reveal their favorite beach reads, authors they always return to, books that deserve a movie or TV adaptation and the titles they can’t wait to read next.
S4 · 13 Aug 2026 · 45 min
Hoda Kotb on Life After TODAY, Embracing New Beginnings, and New Book ‘Jump and Find Joy’ (September 2025)
Jenna Bush Hager reunites with former TODAY co-anchor and friend, Hoda Kotb for a deeply moving conversation about embracing new life chapters, and the beauty of slowing down. Hoda opens up about her decision to leave TODAY, her new chapter focusing on family and her new venture Joy101. Plus, she shares her inspiration for her new book ‘Jump and Find Joy” and how she is finding joy in the everyday moments.
S4 · 6 Aug 2026 · 45 min
Alison Espach on ‘The Wedding People,’ Finding Humor in Grief and What’s Next
Jenna Bush Hager sits down with bestselling author Alison Espach to revisit her beloved novel The Wedding People, now in paperback. Alison opens up about the book’s unexpected success, finding humor in the midst of grief, her journey to becoming a novelist and how motherhood has shaped her life and writing. Plus, Alison shares some of her favorite books, and hints at the possibility of a The Wedding People sequel.
S4 · 30 Jul 2026 · 44 min
Jenny Jackson on 'The Shampoo Effect,' Friendship & Why Great Books Make Us Uncomfortable
Jenny Jackson joins Open Book with Jenna to discuss balancing life as a bestselling novelist and Editorial Director of Fiction at Knopf. She opens up about The Shampoo Effect, writing through self-doubt, creative ambition, and why the best stories spark conversation.
S4 · 23 Jul 2026 · 37 min
Virginia Evans on 'The Correspondent,' Jane Fonda & Why She Almost Quit Writing
Virginia Evans shares the emotional journey behind her bestselling debut, The Correspondent. In this heartfelt conversation with Jenna Bush Hager, she reflects on rejection, finding hope through storytelling, and why perseverance made this life-changing moment possible. Plus, she teases what's next—including the upcoming film adaptation starring Jane Fonda.
S4 · 16 Jul 2026 · 37 min
Elin Hilderbrand & Jennifer Garner on Friendship, 'The Five-Star Weekend' & Bringing Nantucket to Life
Jennifer Garner and bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand join Jenna Bush Hager to celebrate The Five-Star Weekend and its journey from beloved novel to Peacock series. They discuss their instant creative connection, the enduring power of female friendships, adapting books for the screen, and why Nantucket is a character all its own. Plus, Elin shares details about her next novel, and the trio swaps some of their favorite recent reads.
S4 · 9 Jul 2026 · 37 min
How Remarkably Bright Creatures Became a Netflix Movie
Author Shelby Van Pelt sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to celebrate the Netflix adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures. They discuss the magic of seeing Sally Field bring Tova to life, the challenge of adapting Marcellus the octopus for the screen, and the surprising journey from community writing classes to a worldwide bestseller.
S4 · 2 Jul 2026 · 47 min
Anna McCallie on Love, Life Changes and How Insomnia Inspired 'Abby Offsides'
Anna McCallie joins Jenna Bush Hager on Open Book to discuss her debut novel Abby Offsides, a charming romantic comedy set in the world of professional football. Anna opens up about moving to London, finding inspiration in unexpected places, navigating rejection on her path to publication, and creating a heroine readers can't help but root for. Plus, she shares how a bedtime story she told herself became the book everyone is talking about.
S4 · 25 Jun 2026 · 36 min
Kennedy Ryan on Motherhood, Finding Her Purpose at 40 and the Stories That Change Lives
Bestselling author Kennedy Ryan joins Jenna for a heartfelt conversation about finding her purpose later in life, writing romance novels that tackle real-world issues, and why every person deserves a love story filled with radical acceptance. Kennedy opens up about motherhood, faith, advocacy, her journey to becoming a bestselling author at 40, and the exciting adaptation of her beloved Skyland series for television. Plus, she shares how her readers have inspired her and how her books are helping readers feel seen, understood, and empowered. Listen to more episodes of Open Book with Jenna…
S4 · 23 Jun 2026 · 1 min
Making Space with Hoda Kotb! New Season, New Guests & Life-Changing Conversations
Ready to take a deep breath and find some inspiration? A brand-new season of Making Space with Hoda Kotb is officially here. Every Wednesday, Hoda sits down for open, soul stirring conversations with people who have walked through fire and come out stronger. This season, she’s diving into what it really means to pivot, heal, and find your purpose. Expect raw, real-life wisdom on navigating big transitions and the unexpected moments of grace that connect us all. Featuring incredible guests like Mariska Hargitay, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Mark Nepo, Esther Perel, Laverne Cox, and many more. To follow…
S4 · 18 Jun 2026 · 37 min
Carley Fortune on Her Book-to-TV Journey, Summer Romance & the Success of Every Summer After
Bestselling author Carley Fortune joins Jenna to discuss her unexpected path from journalism to writing Every Summer After and some of the most talked-about books of the decade. Carley shares how place, nostalgia and great love stories shape her books. She also opens up about upcoming screen adaptations, romance tropes, BookTok, mental health and why it’s never too late to rediscover your passion.
S4 · 11 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Author Emily Henry Gets Real About Success, Finding Inspiration & Her Next Book
After six bestselling books in six years, Emily Henry is finally slowing down, at least a little. The author joins Jenna for a heartfelt conversation about burnout, creativity, friendship, and the unexpected lessons she learned during a year away from her usual publishing schedule. Emily also shares updates on upcoming adaptations, teases her next novel, and reflects on the readers who have helped make her one of the biggest names in publishing today.
S4 · 10 Jun 2026 · 1 min
Open Book with Jenna Returns! New Season, New Authors & Must-Read Summer Books
A brand-new season of Open Book with Jenna is here! Join Jenna Bush Hager every Thursday as she sits down with some of today's most beloved authors and storytellers for conversations about the books everyone is talking about. This season, we'll explore the hottest reads of the summer, the creative process behind unforgettable stories, the genres readers can't get enough of, and the movie and TV adaptations bringing favorite characters to life. Featuring guests like Emily Henry, Kennedy Ryan, Carley Fortune, Shelby Van Pelt, Virginia Evans, Hannah Berner and many more.
S3 · 4 Jun 2026 · 39 min
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Author Jenny Han On Representation, Coming of Age, & Building a Media Empire
Jenny Han is a literary powerhouse and New York Times bestselling author of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series. She is also the creator and co-showrunner of The Summer I Turned Pretty television series. Jenny sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to chat about how she built a media empire that showcases diverse characters and young women coming into their own. She opens up about how she made the leap from writer to showrunner, what it’s been like to have her books adapted and why coming of age stories resonate with audiences of all ages.
S3 · 21 May 2026 · 29 min
Stephen Colbert and Wife Evie McGee Colbert On Food, Love, and Laughter (July 2025)
“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and his wife of more than 30 years, Evie McGee Colbert join Jenna Bush Hager to talk about their cookbook “Does This Taste Funny?,” their favorite family recipes, and the joy of cooking together. They also share stories from their thirty years of marriage, who’s the better chef, and why humor is the secret ingredient in their relationship.
S3 · 14 May 2026 · 44 min
Matt Rogers on “Las Culturistas” Podcast, Overcoming Setbacks, & Living Life Authentically (November 2024)
Jenna Bush Hager sits down with actor, comedian, and former Jenna & Friends co-host, Matt Rogers. Rogers co-hosts the pop culture podcast "Las Culturistas” with Bowen Yang and stars in Netflix’s comedy series “No Good Deed.” He opens up about his journey from prom king to pop culture podcaster. He also shares how he redefined what success means to him after not getting hired on Saturday Night Live, and how writing his song “RockaFellaCenta” was a form of healing.
S3 · 7 May 2026 · 29 min
Stanley Tucci Gives Us A Taste Of What He Ate In One Year (October 2024)
Stanley Tucci is an award winning actor, author, and dad. He’s appeared in roles such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and The Lovely Bones. His latest role includes, food lover, social media star, and one of America's favorite home chefs. His latest novel ‘What I Ate in One Year’ chronicles a year’s worth of meals and allows him to reflect back on a year with family and friends. Stanley sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to share his love of food and how a viral instagram post catapulted him to a different level of fame. A lover of all things culinary, he gives readers a taste of a…
S3 · 29 Apr 2026 · 29 min
‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Cast Talk Iconic Sequel | Open Book with Jenna Bush Hager
"Open Book with Jenna" host Jenna Bush Hager sits down with the iconic cast of "The Devil Wears Prada" , Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, for an extended conversation about their highly anticipated sequel, "The Devil Wears Prada 2". The cast reflects on the film’s lasting legacy, why now felt like the right time to return, and how the story evolves in a world shaped by technology, media changes and shifting power dynamics. They also share what it was like reuniting after two decades, revisiting their beloved characters, and filming once again in New York City.…
S3 · 23 Apr 2026 · 44 min
Kristin Hannah on Telling the Forgotten Stories of Women (September 2025)
Kristin Hannah is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels, including "The Nightingale," "The Four Winds" and "The Women," and has built her career around telling the often overlooked stories of women in history. In this conversation from September 2025, Hannah sits down with Jenna to reflect on the books that shaped her, the path that led her from practicing law to becoming a novelist and the deep research behind her historical fiction. Plus, she opens up about why "The Women" took more than 20 years to write and what continues to draw her to stories of resilience, sacrifice and…
S3 · 16 Apr 2026 · 40 min
Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Motherhood, Loss & Her Book 7 Years in the Making
In this heartfelt Open Book conversation, Sheinelle Jones opens up to Jenna Bush Hager about her deeply personal journey behind her book, “Through Mom’s Eyes", a passion project years in the making. From lessons learned interviewing inspiring mothers to navigating grief, single motherhood, and discovering new strength, Sheinelle shares powerful reflections on love, loss, and resilience with a few lighthearted parenting moments mixed in.
S3 · 9 Apr 2026 · 47 min
Kate DiCamillo on Imagination, Resilience and the Stories That Stay With Us (November 2023)
Kate DiCamillo is one of the most beloved voices in children’s literature, known for classics like "Because of Winn-Dixie," "The Tale of Despereaux "as well as her recently released book "Orris and Timble: Star Stories." In this conversation from November 2023, DiCamillo sits down with Jenna to reflect on her path to becoming a bestselling author, how she pushed through 473 rejections and why imagination has always been at the heart of her work. Plus, she opens up about the resilience, wonder and emotional truth that continue to shape her stories for readers of all ages.
S3 · 2 Apr 2026 · 7 min
TODAY Presents: The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer – Ashley Graham
Hey Open Book with Jenna fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview clip of our new podcast series, The Parent Chat with Dylan Dreyer. In this episode, Dylan sits down with model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham for an honest, hilarious conversation about what it's really like to raise three boys. Both boy moms get honest about the everyday chaos and the real work behind raising kind, emotionally intelligent men. From teaching manners and talking through big feelings, to modeling the behavior they want to see in the world, these two are thinking about the long game. Because at the…

About Open Book with Jenna

Open Book with Jenna is a English society & culture podcast from TODAY, Jenna Bush Hager. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: TODAY, Jenna Bush Hager
Language: English
Category: Society & Culture
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1707218732

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